Page 40 of Ice Rebel

“Sounds like you didn’t expect you’d enjoy my company.”

“Not at all. At this point in my life I can’t imagine I’m very good company. My goals are most important, which doesn’t included dating. I hope you understand.”

“Yeah, I get it. I won’t tell anyone we were out on a date. You know, just in case they ask. For what it’s worth, I enjoyed the hell out of myself. Clementine.”

“Thank you. Roy. A truly chivalrous man.” While nervous laughter erupted, I stepped into the night air, uncertain if I was hopeful he’d take the hint and drive off or if the girl inside would be thoroughly disappointed.

I hadn’t realized he’d moved beside me at first, but he was impossible to miss both because of his size and his presence. He carried an aura that I’d yet to categorize.

“I aim to please.” We had another awkward moment. “Say, I hope you don’t mind me walking you to your car. There are crazies in this world. You know?”

“Do you mean like the guys in the bar?”

His grin was sheepish, a dangle of long curls sweeping into his eyes as he peered down at me. “They were all bark and no bite.”

“You think?”

“Yep. You can always tell.”

“What about you? Are you the same way?” We were already standing by my vehicle, our bodies lit in the harsh glow of the massive overhead lamp.

He gave my question more thought than necessary, rubbing his jaw as he did. I’d noticed in the bar his stubble had grown. Or maybe my crazy longing to run my fingers across the coarse hair had, knowing it would tickle my skin.

“Nah. I’m just the opposite. I bite then I howl.” He felt the need to provide me with an example, tipping his head and howling at the full moon.

“Does that work with the girls?”

“Every time.”

“Then you’ve met your match. Thanks for walking me. I’ll be fine from here.” I clicked the key fob, uncertain if I should wait until he walked away. Did I want him to walk away?

“No prob. Anything to keep a lady safe. Break a leg.” He took his time, taking a long stride backward.

“I will. Thanks.” The moment was awkward, much more so than the first time a boy had asked me out in high school.

He took another step before jerking himself to a stop. “So, I was wondering.”

“What’s that?”

“Since we agree there are so many crazy people in this world, including some who wouldn’t mind eating sweet, tender flesh for a midnight snack, would you mind if I followed you home? I mean just to ensure you got there safely?”

Another round of credit went to him for creativity. This was the point when I should enforce the rules, although they hadn’t included being concerned if he presented himself as a gentleman. The answer should be easy. Instead, it challenged the core fiber of my being. But I was an adult, a woman controlling my own life. Nothing was wrong with allowing him to act on his need for chivalry. Before I knew what I was doing, the answer slipped from my mouth.

“That would be just fine.”

As soon as I slipped into my beat-up little Honda, I chastised myself for agreeing. Now he’d know my address. Okay, so I doubted he’d decided after a couple of times in the gym to case me, now finding out where I lived so he could rob me. He’d be sorely disappointed if that was the case since I had nothing of value.

Including my poor car that had seen better days.

“If you’re determined to live on your own, then so be it.” I could still hear my father’s voice inside my head.

I could try to make a run for it, utilizing the back roads that I was clueless about. I had a feeling Roy knew every street in the city. Besides, why would I want to do that? Because I was terrified of where this could lead. I wasn’t afraid of intimacy, just opposed to the aftermath.

The forced conversations. The pretense that one or the other cared. The lies about calling or texting the other. Even going so far as to exchange phone numbers knowing that in about a week, maybe two, after consuming a few glasses of wine, you’d make a ceremony out of deleting his information.

But of course that wouldn’t be until you’d stalked him on social media, at first eager to learn more about him in the privacy of your own home. Also curious about his friends. His likes and dislikes. Then once you realized just how popular he was, you’d start to notice the position of his hand when taking a photograph with another girl. Or where his eyes had drifted on her body.

By that point, disgust would settle in and you’d start wondering why he hadn’t texted you back. After the fifth cute line using an adorable emoji, you’d begin to believe with all your heart he was already cheating on you. If a couple of days had gone by, you might even consider following him just to be certain you were correct.